Recap of the FaithWriters Conference

Preparing for one of the main sessions

The weekend of August 12 & 13 was exhilarating, fun, uplifting, motivating, and exhausting. Only one event could cause such a myriad of emotions: A Writer's Conference.

One of the highlights of my year is the FaithWriters conference, held in Livonia, Michigan. There's nothing quite like connecting with 60+ others who share the same passion - and faith - as I do. There were several writers within driving distance of Detroit, but also lots who hopped a plane from the other side of the country (Oregon, Texas, California), and even another part of the world (Australia)! Once you get to know the FaithWriters crowd, not even money (or a lack of it) will stand in your way of  spending the weekend with this fabulous group with a heart for God and a desire to hone their writing talent so they can use their abilities for God's glory.

With best buddy & roomie, Diane

I drove to Detroit with my great friend Diane Loew. We arrived early so we decided to relax for a couple hours at the movies. We saw The Help (amazing movie - highly recommended!) and then headed back to the hotel for the conference.

The funny Timmy Boyle

The evening started off with a bang. Hilarious comedian Timmy Boyle had us in stitches with his comedy act. From Toronto, Canada, Tim is the founder of Upstanding Comedy, who proves that clean comedy is not only possible, it's seriously funny! Tim and his wife Heidi stayed with Diane for a couple days before the conference and I had the pleasure of spending a bit of time with them this weekend. Tim is currently participating in a reality television show and is also trying to acquire more business in the U.S. YOU can help by getting Tim into your church or other venue. Visit HIS WEBSITE for more information and video clips of his routine.

Me with Hartline agent Linda Glaz

When our stomachs stopped hurting from laughing, we slowed things down with Hanne moon's inspiring session on how to handle those SPLAT moments when we think we're down for the count. Through Hanne's incredible testimony, she encouraged us to push through and look for how God uses our difficult moments (or months) to make us stronger.

That ended Friday night's sessions. Many hung out in the lobby, playing board games or catching up with friends. Diane, Tim, Heidi, Kim Russell, Hanne, and I headed to Red Robin for a late dinner. Then we went straight back to our hotel room for a good night's sleep, to gear up for a full Saturday.

And full it was!

Three of the youngest attendees

We had a bit of a glitch when, right before breakfast, the power went out. Yikes! Diane and I were glad we rose early and got our hair curled before the outlets were toast. Though the generator kicked on some of the lights, the elevators didn't work, the bathroom lights were completely out (have YOU ever tried "going" in the dark? An interesting experience, for sure!) and there was no air conditioning, making it rather uncomfortable during the sessions, especially for the presenters. A couple of the the workshop leaders were not able to use their Power Point presentations they'd worked so hard on.

BUT...everyone made the best of it and this glitch did nothing to lessen the impact of the fabulous teaching. In the sessions I personally attended, Deb Porter taught me what it takes to create great devotionals, Linda Glaz reminded me how to keep my pride in check, Patty Wysong told me how to let my light shine, and Timmy Boyle gave me great tips on how to keep my lunch down in this crazy world of writing! (Very important stuff!)

I also taught a workshop on the various jobs within the job of writing. Did you know that writers do more than write? Yes, it's true! We also act as psychiatrists, surgeons, trash collectors, teachers, and sales people. I used props for each "job," gave tips for each, and did a few giveaways. I was a little nervous, but I made it through without passing out. Probably due to the fact that the electricity (most thankfully, AIR CONDITIONING) came back on just before my session at 4:00. Yes, that's 8 HOURS that the power was out. I really enjoyed teaching this class and hope those attending walked away with something they can use in their own writing journey.

After dinner (Applebees for a few of us...) we rounded out the conference with two awesome sessions. Cori Smelker taught on time management before Deb Porter finished with an encouraging, motivating, and straight-forward teaching on the publishing industry today - how it's changing and what we can do to get the best books possible out there.

See what I mean about crazy group?

What a whirlwind of a weekend! If you are a Christian writer, I strongly encourage you to join FaithWriters.com. You won't meet a more genuine, fun, CRAZY group of people who love Jesus, have a heart for others, and a passion for writing material that honors God and inspires readers.

Oh - and for those of you who may be wondering what caused the power outage? No, it wasn't bad weather or a horrible car accident. A squirrel chewed through the line. That's right, a squirrel caused all of that trouble. That's what I call really NUTS! (Groan...)

For those of you who attended the FaithWriters conference, what was the highlight for you?

FaithWriters Conference 2011!

The FaithWriters U.S. conference is just over two months away! This will be the 4th conference held in the U.S. (there is also a "Down Under" conference). Each conference gets better and better and I can't wait to see what God will do this year!

I joined FaithWriters seven years ago and most of you probably know that I credit this site for re-jumpstarting my writing career. I attribute much of where I am today (and part of the income I earn) to FaithWriters.com. Well, of course God is the one who orders my steps, but He used FaithWriters to bring me to this point.

I truly hope you'll prayerfully consider attending the FaithWriters conference this year. If you do, be prepared to be mentally and spiritually motivated, refreshed and renewed. Oh - and also be prepared to have the stuffing squeezed out of you. Lots of huggers in this group!

Here's what you can look forward to:


THEME: Nurturing the Whole Writer

DATE: August 12 and 13, 2010

WHERE: Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Livonia, MI

CONFERENCE COST: $82 = FaithWriters 500 members, $92 = general rate

Register by June 18 to receive the Early Bird Discount. It's a great deal (less than $90 for 2 days). You will walk away abundantly blessed...guaranteed!

HOTEL COST: $93 plus tax (a block of rooms is reserved at this special price for attendees)

REGISTER ONLINE (Once you make your payment, you'll be directed to a page where you can select your workshop and "extras" like headshot photo session, Speed Critiquing with Jan and Deb, and One on One for One appointment with Deb Porter.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS - Descriptions of both the general sessions and elective workshops

MESSAGE BOARD DISCUSSION - Find a roommate or a ride from the airport, and join in the excitement about all things conference related.

OFFICIAL CONFERENCE PAGE


I am so excited about this conference and I'd LOVE to see you there!

Why I'm Attending the FaithWriters Conference (and why you should, too!)

The FaithWriters U.S. conference is only two months away! This will be the 3rd conference held in the U.S. (there is also a "Down Under" conference) and it promises to be better than ever (and not just because I'm one of the workshop teachers this year).

I joined FaithWriters six years ago and most of you probably know that I credit this site for re-jumpstarting my writing career. I attribute much of where I am today (and most of the income I earn) solely to FaithWriters.com. Well, of course God is the one who orders my steps, but He used FaithWriters to bring me to this point.

I attended the first two FaithWriters conferences (2007 and 2009) and both times came away so abundantly blessed. The teaching, the fellowship, and the overall atmosphere of Christian love was almost overwhelming - in a good way! To meet the people I've gotten to know online through the Writing Challenge and on the message boards was surreal. Some of my very best friends in the world are FaithWriters members.

So...all this to say I truly hope you'll prayerfully consider attending the FaithWriters conference this year. If you do, be prepared to be mentally and spiritually motivated, refreshed and renewed. Oh - and also be prepared to have the stuffing squeezed out of you. Lots of huggers in this group!

Here's what you can look forward to:

THEME: Nurturing the Whole Writer

DATE: August 13 and 14, 2010

WHERE: Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Livonia, MI

CONFERENCE COST: $82 = FaithWriters 500 members, $92 = general rate

HOTEL COST: $93 plus tax (a block of rooms is reserved at this special price for attendees)

REGISTRATION FORM - Print out the form and send it via snail mail with your payment to the address provided on the form.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS - Descriptions of both the general sessions and elective workshops

MESSAGE BOARD DISCUSSION - Find a roommate or a ride from the airport, and join in the excitement about all things conference related.

OFFICIAL CONFERENCE PAGE

I am so excited about this conference and I'd LOVE to see you there!

FaithWriters Conference 2009

The conference season is upon us.

A while ago, I posted some links to various writer's conferences. But today, I want to tell you about a conference that is near and dear to my heart.

As most of you know, FaithWriters is the place where my writing fire was re-lit. You can read my complete FaithWriters testimony HERE. Since I joined in May, 2004, I have met so many beautiful people who have impacted my life in ways that will stay with me forever.

In 2007, when the announcement was made for the first FaithWriters conference, I was ecstatic. I would finally get to meet the people I'd been corresponding with/laughing with/crying with/praying with online for three years. Needless to say, there was no way I was going to miss it.

And I didn't. The almost-three days I got to spend with my FaithWriters friends was more wonderful than I could have even imagined. I came home and literally cried for about a week because I was overwhelmed with emotion over being with people who "got me" (and loved me anyway!). Of course, the information I took home was well worth the cost of the conference. But the friendships that were created are worth a thousand times more.

So...on to my point!

The second FaithWriters conference will take place on August 7 and 8. I am thrilled, excited, anxious, ecstatic, and counting the days. We have some wonderful speakers lined up. I will admit, I was asked to speak but politely declined. Public speaking is a fear I have that is second only to bugs, so I'm not quite ready for that yet. Maybe at the next one (scheduled for 2011). :-)
Anyway, I would absolutely love to meet you there! So look over the information, check your calendars, and prayerfully consider coming to this conference. I promise...you won't regret it!

THEME: Nurturing the Whole Writer

LOCATION: Livonia (Detroit), Michigan

DATE: Friday, August 7, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Saturday, August 8, 8:30 AM - 8:15 PM

COST: FaithWriters 500 members - $72
All others - $82

INCLUDES: All workshops, Saturday breakfast, lunch, and snacks
*Hotel, transportation and other meals not included

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Linore Rose Burkard, multi-published Regency author.

OTHER SPEAKERS AND WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS: Deb Porter, Corinne Smelker, David Ian, and Jan Ackerson. Read their full bios HERE and complete workshop descriptions HERE.

If you are a published author, and would like to sell your books at the conference, visit this page for details: BOOK TABLE

FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION ON THE FAITHWRITERS CONFERENCE, VISIT THE MAIN CONFERENCE PAGE.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

FaithWriters Conference Registration Now Open!

In August, 2007, the very first FaithWriters conference was held in Livonia, Michigan, where the FaithWriters home office is located. Fabulous doesn't even come close to describing that conference, from keynote speaker, Sally Stuart, to excellent teaching by our own Deb Porter, David Ian, and Cori Smelker. And don't even get me started on what it was like to finally meet other FaithWriters members face-to-face. It was like one, big, two-day family reunion. Those of us who attended have been counting the days until the next conference.

Well, I am thrilled to announce that the time has finally come! Registration is now open for the 2009 FaithWriters conference! The theme this year will focus on "Nurturing the Whole Writer" and featured speakers include inspirational romance author, Linore Rose Burkard, and FaithWriters own Deb Porter, Corinne Smelker, David Ian, and Jan Ackerson. To read the full speaker bios, click HERE.

HERE ARE THE GENERAL DETAILS:

When: August 7 & 8

Where: Radisson Hotel, Livonia, MI

Cost:

Early Bird for FW 500 Members (through June 7th) - $65

Early Bird for all others - $75

General Rate for FW 500 Members (June 8 or after) - $72

General Rate for all others - $82

*Cost includes conference, Saturday breakfast, lunch, and snacks*
*Hotel and transportation not included

http://www.faithwriters.com/conference.php

FULL SCHEDULE

REGISTRATION


I'm sure I'll be posting more about the conference as it draws nearer. For now, I'll just say that if there is any way you can swing it, I would LOVE to meet you there!